U.S. patent application number 09/949311 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-22 for video bingo game and method.
Invention is credited to Weingardt, Gary.
Application Number | 20020113369 09/949311 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46278115 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020113369 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weingardt, Gary |
August 22, 2002 |
Video bingo game and method
Abstract
A bingo game and method in which bingo rules are used to
simulate video poker and slot machine games. Players using linked
terminals are assigned flashboards having multiple squares thereon,
which squares have indicia thereon. If video poker is to be
simulated, the indicia will be suit and value indicia of the type
associated with playing cards. If slot machine play is to be
simulated, the indicia will be of the like associated with slot
machines, such as cherries, bars and bells. The calling of numbered
bingo balls leads to the display to the player of corresponding
indicia from numbered squares on the flashboard. A multiple
overlapping ball draw may be utilized to accommodate slower and
faster players, to allow overlapping games so that a slower player
can have more time to play while a faster player can finish one
game and commence another before the first game has closed. Where
no player achieves a winning combination, an award can be provided
based on a pre-determined value of indicia received by the player,
including a near miss or a lowest hand. In one embodiment, the
near-miss award may be paid from a progressive jackpot, to increase
player excitement and to incentivize players to try for a near-miss
hand.
Inventors: |
Weingardt, Gary; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEISS & MOY PC
4204 NORTH BROWN AVENUE
SCOTTSDALE
AZ
85251
US
|
Family ID: |
46278115 |
Appl. No.: |
09/949311 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09949311 |
Sep 7, 2001 |
|
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|
09745706 |
Dec 26, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/0645
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/269 |
International
Class: |
A63F 003/06 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A bingo game comprising, in combination: a plurality of player
terminals; wherein each said player terminal has a display screen
thereon; a plurality of flashboards each having a plurality of
numbered spaces; wherein said plurality of numbered spaces has
indicia associated therewith; wherein said indicia comprises each
of suit and value indicia; and a plurality of bingo balls each
having individual numbers corresponding to said numbered spaces on
said flashboard.
2. A bingo game comprising, in combination: a plurality of player
terminals; wherein each said player terminal has a display screen
thereon; a plurality of flashboards each having a plurality of
numbered spaces; wherein said plurality of numbered spaces has
indicia associated therewith; wherein said indicia comprises
indicia of the type commonly displayed on slot-type machines; and a
plurality of bingo balls each having individual numbers
corresponding to said numbered spaces on said flashboard.
3. A method of playing a game of bingo comprising the steps of:
providing at least one player with a flashboard having a plurality
of numbered spaces; wherein said plurality of numbered spaces has
indicia associated therewith; providing a plurality of bingo balls
each having individual numbers corresponding to numbered spaces on
said flashboard; initiating the bingo game; randomly selecting
bingo balls; displaying to said at least one player said indicia
associated with each said numbered space corresponding to each said
selected bingo ball; and if said at least one player achieves a
predetermined winning combination of said displayed indicia,
providing an award to said at least one player.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said indicia comprises each of
suit and value indicia.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein said indicia comprises indicia of
the type commonly displayed on slot-type machines.
6. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of randomly
selecting a second group of five bingo balls.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of displaying
to each said at least one player a representation of said indicia
associated with each said numbered space corresponding to each of
said second group of five bingo balls wherein said representation
conceals from view said indicia associated with each said numbered
space corresponding to each of said second group of five bingo
balls.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said representation comprises an
image of a back of a playing card.
9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of providing
the option to discard at least one said indicia associated with
said numbered space corresponding to at least one of said first
group of five bingo balls and thereafter displaying said indicia
associated with said numbered space corresponding to at least one
of said second group of five bingo balls.
10. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of providing
the option to discard at least one said indicia associated with
said numbered space corresponding to at least one of said first
group of five bingo balls and thereafter displaying said indicia
associated with said numbered space corresponding to at least one
of said second group of five bingo balls.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein said at least one player is
presented with the option to select at least one specified
representation of said indicia for at least one of said second
group of five bingo balls.
12. A method of playing a game of bingo comprising the steps of:
providing each player with a flashboard having a plurality of
numbered spaces; wherein said plurality of numbered spaces has
indicia associated therewith; providing a plurality of bingo balls
each having individual numbers corresponding to numbered spaces on
said flashboard; initiating the bingo game; randomly selecting
consecutive bingo balls; displaying to each player said indicia
associated with each said numbered space corresponding to each said
selected bingo ball; and providing an award to at least one player
qualifying for a case bingo award.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said indicia comprises each of
suit and value indicia.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein said indicia comprises indicia
of the type commonly displayed on slot-type machines.
15. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of randomly
selecting a second group of five bingo balls.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of
displaying to each said at least one player a representation of
said indicia associated with each said numbered space corresponding
to each of said second group of five bingo balls wherein said
representation conceals from view said indicia associated with each
said numbered space corresponding to each of said second group of
five bingo balls.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein said representation comprises an
image of a back of a playing card.
18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of providing
the option to discard at least one said indicia associated with
said numbered space corresponding to at least one of said first
group of five bingo balls and thereafter displaying said indicia
associated with said numbered space corresponding to at least one
of said second group of five bingo balls.
19. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of providing
the option to discard at least one said indicia associated with
said numbered space corresponding to at least one of said first
group of five bingo balls and thereafter displaying said indicia
associated with said numbered space corresponding to at least one
of said second group of five bingo balls.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein said at least one player selects
at least one specified representation of said indicia for at least
one of said second group of five bingo balls.
21. A method of playing overlapping games of bingo comprising the
steps of: providing at least one player with a player terminal;
providing two or more ball draws; commencing a game of bingo with a
ball draw; said at least one player participating in said game of
bingo; allowing said game of bingo to proceed for a specified
period of time prior to closing; and commencing another game of
bingo with another ball draw prior to said closing of said prior
game.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein said first game of bingo
comprises the game of bingo of claim 1.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein said indicia comprises each of
suit and value indicia.
24. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of randomly
selecting a second group of five bingo balls.
25. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of
displaying to each said at least one player a representation of
said indicia associated with each said numbered space corresponding
to each of said second group of five bingo balls wherein said
representation conceals from view said indicia associated with each
said numbered space corresponding to each of said second group of
five bingo balls.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein said representation comprises an
image of a back of a playing card.
27. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of providing
the option to discard at least one said indicia associated with
said numbered space corresponding to at least one of said first
group of five bingo balls and thereafter displaying said indicia
associated with said numbered space corresponding to at least one
of said second group of five bingo balls.
28. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of providing
the option to discard at least one said indicia associated with
said numbered space corresponding to at least one of said first
group of five bingo balls and thereafter displaying said indicia
associated with said numbered space corresponding to at least one
of said second group of five bingo balls.
29. The method of claim 27 wherein said at least one player is
provided with the option to select at least one specified
representation of said indicia for at least one of said second
group of five bingo balls.
30. The method of claim 21 wherein said first game of bingo
comprises the game of bingo of claim 2.
31. A method of playing a game of bingo comprising the steps of:
providing each player with a flashboard having a plurality of
numbered spaces; wherein said plurality of numbered spaces has
indicia associated therewith; providing a plurality of bingo balls
each having individual numbers corresponding to numbered spaces on
said flashboard; initiating the bingo game; establishing a case
bingo progressive jackpot pool; randomly selecting consecutive
bingo balls; displaying to each player said indicia associated with
each said numbered space corresponding to each said selected bingo
ball; providing an award to at least one player qualifying for a
case bingo progressive jackpot; and wherein said award includes at
least a portion n of said progressive jackpot pool.
32. A method of playing a game of bingo comprising the steps of:
providing at least one player with a display screen illustrating a
plurality of reels for a slot-type machine; providing said at least
one player with a different flashboard for each said reel, each
flashboard having a plurality of numbered spaces; wherein said
plurality of numbered spaces has indicia associated therewith;
providing for each said flashboard a plurality of bingo balls each
having individual numbers corresponding to numbered spaces on said
flashboard; initiating the bingo game; randomly selecting bingo
balls for each said flashboard; displaying to said at least one
player said indicia associated with each said numbered space
corresponding to each said selected bingo ball; and if said at
least one player achieves a predetermined winning combination of
said displayed indicia, providing an award to said at least one
player.
33. The method of claim 32 further comprising the steps of:
establishing a progressive jackpot; providing an award to at least
one player having a case bingo; and awarding a portion of said
progressive jackpot to said player having a case bingo.
34. The method of claim 32 further comprising the steps of:
providing two or more ball draws; commencing a game of bingo with a
ball draw; said at least one player participating in said game of
bingo; allowing said game of bingo to proceed for a specified
period of time prior to closing; and commencing another game of
bingo with another ball draw prior to said closing of said prior
game.
35. The method of claim 33 further comprising the steps of:
providing two or more ball draws; commencing a game of bingo with a
ball draw; said at least one player participating in said game of
bingo; allowing said game of bingo to proceed for a specified
period of time prior to closing; and commencing another game of
bingo with another ball draw prior to said closing of said prior
first game.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/745,706, filed Dec. 26, 2000 in the name of the
Applicant, to which priority is claimed.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to bingo games, and more
particularly to a video bingo game and method that utilizes bingo
rules to present video games having the look and feel of video
poker and slot games, and that preferably utilize multiple ball
draws to provide a pace of play beneficial to fast and slow players
alike.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The rules of play for conventional bingo are well-known.
Players receive individual game cards, generally featuring a matrix
of five rows and five columns. The columns are lettered B I N G O
from left to right across the top of the matrix and each bingo card
has five numbers in each row, except for the center I column which
has a "free space" at the intersection of the third row and the
third column.
[0004] Bingo balls individually numbered 175 are mixed together and
balls are selected one at a time. As each ball is selected, the
number is announced to the players, who cover any corresponding
number on their bingo card. When a player achieves a predetermined
arrangement of covered spots on his bingo card, that player yells
out "Bingo!" or hits the bingo button and he wins the game.
[0005] Bingo is increasingly being played in electronic form.
Players operate linked machines that display one or more bingo
cards. Numbers are called by live ball draw, or a bonanza game and
the called numbers are daubed on the player cards on each linked
machine. Each game is played until a winning card on at least one
linked machine is produced, after which another game may be
started.
[0006] But there are a number of drawbacks associated with prior
art electronic bingo games. Many players prefer the fast action of
video poker and slot machines to relatively slower traditional
bingo games. Such players will tend to avoid electronic bingo games
entirely, in favor of competing games.
[0007] Moreover, even for those who prefer to play bingo, prior art
video bingo games are not entirely satisfactory. One drawback is
timing. Depending on the player, the game may be too fast or too
slow. Thus, each game will have a single ball draw and a time
limit, perhaps in the range of about 20 seconds. A fast player
might be able in significantly less than the allotted time to
complete his or her selections and be ready to play the next
game--only to be forced to wait until the game has closed and the
next one begun with another ball draw. After a series of games, a
player who is required to spend a significant time waiting may well
opt to leave the machine and choose a faster-paced game.
[0008] On the other hand, a slower player might find that he or she
cannot make the required selections in time, with the result that
the game closes before they have finished. Players who cannot
finish the game in the allotted time can also be expected to lose
interest.
[0009] A need therefore existed for an electronic bingo game having
the look and feel of a non-bingo game, including for example video
poker or video slots (sometimes also referred to as "fruit
machines"). A need further existed for an electronic bingo game
that accommodates the play habits of both fast and slow players.
The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other,
related, advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
electronic bingo game and method having the look and feel of a
non-bingo game, including for example video poker or video slot
machines.
[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an electronic bingo game and method that accommodates the play
habits of both fast and slow players.
[0012] It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide a bingo game and method that provides a "near-miss" or
"case" bingo reward or the like to provide a payout, in addition to
the normal slot payouts as reflected on a pay table, which is
preferably paid in the event that a game does not produce a hand
falling within the pay table, and further that provides a
progressive jackpot for case bingos.
[0013] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from a consideration of the
following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
a bingo game is disclosed. The game comprises, in combination: a
plurality of player terminals; wherein each said player terminal
has a display screen thereon; a plurality of flashboards each
having a plurality of numbered spaces; wherein said plurality of
numbered spaces has indicia associated therewith; wherein said
indicia comprises each of suit and value indicia; and a plurality
of bingo balls each having individual numbers corresponding to said
numbered spaces on said flashboard.
[0015] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a bingo game is disclosed. The game comprises, in
combination: a plurality of player terminals; wherein each said
player terminal has a display screen thereon; a plurality of
flashboards each having a plurality of numbered spaces; wherein
said plurality of numbered spaces has indicia associated therewith;
wherein said indicia comprises indicia of the type commonly
displayed on slot-type machines; and a plurality of bingo balls
each having individual numbers corresponding to said numbered
spaces on said flashboard.
[0016] In accordance with still another embodiment of the present
invention, a method of playing a game of bingo is disclosed. The
method comprises the steps of: providing at least one player with a
flashboard having a plurality of numbered spaces; wherein said
plurality of numbered spaces has indicia associated therewith;
providing a plurality of bingo balls each having individual numbers
corresponding to numbered spaces on said flashboard; initiating the
bingo game; randomly selecting bingo balls; displaying to said at
least one player said indicia associated with each said numbered
space corresponding to each said selected bingo ball; and if said
at least one player achieves a predetermined winning combination of
said displayed indicia, providing an award to said at least one
player.
[0017] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
invention, a method of playing a game of bingo is disclosed. The
method comprises the steps of: providing each player with a
flashboard having a plurality of numbered spaces; wherein said
plurality of numbered spaces has indicia associated therewith;
providing a plurality of bingo balls each having individual numbers
corresponding to numbered spaces on said flashboard; initiating the
bingo game; randomly selecting consecutive bingo balls; displaying
to each said player said indicia associated with each said numbered
space corresponding to each said selected bingo ball; and if no
said player achieves a predetermined winning combination of said
displayed indicia, comparing said indicia displayed to each said
player and providing an award to at least one player having a
pre-determined value of said displayed indicia. In accordance with
yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of
playing overlapping games of bingo is disclosed. The method
comprises the steps of: providing at least one player with a player
terminal; providing two or more ball draws; commencing a first game
of bingo with a first ball draw; said at least one player
participating in said first game of bingo; allowing said first game
of bingo to proceed for a specified period of time prior to
closing; and commencing another game of bingo with another ball
draw prior to said closing of said first game.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 provides an exemplar of a video terminal, including
display screen, of one embodiment of a bingo game of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 provides an exemplar of a video terminal, including
display screen, of another embodiment of a bingo game of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 provides an exemplar of a video terminal, including
display screen, of yet another embodiment of a bingo game of the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a flashboard component of an embodiment of a
bingo game of the present invention, with two flashboard squares
shown in detail.
[0022] FIG. 5 provides an exemplar of a video terminal, including
display screen, of still another embodiment of a bingo game of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, an embodiment of the bingo
game of the present invention having the look and feel of video
poker is shown. For ease of reference, this game will be referred
to as "Bingo Poker" herein.
[0024] Referring first to FIG. 4, each player is provided with a
flashboard/bingo card 10 (hereinafter "flashboard 10"). The
flashboard 10 may optionally be displayed to the player on a video
screen, or may simply be provided to the game terminal but not
displayed. In order to provide a less cluttered appearance, and to
enhance the poker-like look of the game, it will be preferred to
not display the flashboard 10 on the gaming machine screen.
[0025] In its preferred configuration, the flashboard 10 contains a
plurality of individual squares 12. Each square 12 is intended to
correspond to a particular numbered ball used in the game, with the
total number of squares corresponding to the total number of
numbered balls used. As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, there
are 52 squares 12, corresponding to 52 balls. As will be discussed
below, it will be possible to vary the number of squares 12 and
balls, and indeed, it would be possible to provide a
noncorresponding number of squares 12 and balls.
[0026] It should be noted further that if the flashboard 10 is to
be displayed to the player, the configuration shown in FIG.
4--having four rows of thirteen squares each, with, reading from
left to right, row A having squares 1-13, row B having squares
14-26, row C having squares 27-39, and row D having squares
40-52--is only one of many that would be possible. Thus, it would
be possible to organize the squares 12 into any desired combination
of rows and columns or other display arrangement.
[0027] Preferably, each individual square 12 has assigned thereto
appropriate indicia corresponding to the specific game that is to
be played. For Bingo Poker, the indicia will comprise suit and
value indicia commonly displayed on playing cards. For example, as
shown in FIG. 4, square 32 has been assigned as its suit and value
indicia the six of clubs. Square 41 has been assigned as its suit
and value indicia the two of diamonds. In a Bingo Poker game that
utilizes 52 balls and thus at least 52 squares 12, each square 12
will have different suit and value indicia, so that each card in a
52 card deck is represented in a different square 12.
[0028] While, in this embodiment, the indicia used correspond to
that displayed on playing cards, it should be understood that
indicia from other card-type games could be used, and the game
played according to rules for such card-type game.
[0029] The suit and value indicia may be randomly generated on each
square 12 of each flashboard 10 before each game. Alternatively,
different flashboards 10 may be created before play is begun by the
players depressing an appropriate button/key or otherwise
commanding the player machine to generate randomly different
indicia locations on flashboard 10. However created, each
flashboard 10 will have its unique (or nearly unique) placement of
indicia, thus providing preferably different flashboards 10 for
each player and different outcomes for each machine. For example,
while square 32 on player one's flashboard might have a Club suit
indicia and a Six value indicia, square 32 on player two's
flashboard might have a Heart suit indicia and a Queen value
indicia. Thus, the calling of ball/number 32 will provide player
one with a Six of Clubs and player two with a Queen of Hearts.
[0030] As each ball is drawn and called, the result is
electronically communicated to each player machine. (It should be
understood that the reference to a ball draw and call is intended
to include an electronic draw and an electronic communication of
the results of the draw to player machine, and is not meant to be
restricted to a manual ball draw or live call by a person.)
Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplar of a player machine 14 is
shown. The player machine 14 preferably includes a display screen
16 and a play selection area 18. (It should be understood that the
play selection area 18 could be positioned on the player machine 14
separate from the display screen 16 as shown in FIG. 1, or could be
displayed on the display screen 16 using touch screen technology or
the like.)
[0031] Still referring to FIG. 1, the results of the calling of
five balls are displayed on the display screen 16, in the form of
cards 20 having suit and value indicia corresponding to numbered
squares 12 on the flashboard 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred
form for displaying the results of the call is in card form, giving
the Bingo Poker game the look and feel of a video poker terminal.
In the event that the flashboard 10 is also displayed on the
display screen 16, it is preferred that upon the calling of each
ball, the corresponding square 12 is lit or otherwise modified to
indicate that the ball corresponding to that square has been
called.
[0032] In the preferred embodiment of Poker Bingo, ten balls are
called at the beginning of the game. As shown in FIG. 1, only the
results for the first five balls will initially be displayed. With
respect to the remaining five balls, they are either not initially
depicted in any form to the player as shown in FIG. 1, or,
referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, may be represented by an image of a
card back 22 or in some other form. (In the event that the
flashboard 10 is displayed to the player on the display screen 16,
the squares 12 and indicia associated with second group of five
balls are not indicated on the flashboard 10 either.)
[0033] Each player then electronically daubs those of the first
five balls that the player desires to keep by, one card 20 at a
time, daubing each card 20 that the player wishes to hold or
discard. Daubing is preferably accomplished by the player
depressing the daub button 24 for each card to be held--which daub
button 24 may be a depressible button or key located in the play
selection area 18, a selectable area on a display screen 16 having
touch screen capability, or some other vehicle for allowing a
player to communicate card selection. (It would also be possible to
provide that depression of the daub button 24 would have the effect
of highlighting those cards 20 that are to be discarded .)
[0034] Once daubing is complete, the player depresses the draw
button 26. (It should be noted that the names for the buttons as
shown in the drawing figures and as used herein represent examples
only, and may be changed as desired.) The undaubed cards 20 are
then discarded and replaced with a corresponding number of cards 20
corresponding to balls from the second group of five. If the player
daubs (holds) all five cards 20, then no replacement cards are used
and the winning hand will be determined using only the original
five balls drawn.
[0035] There are several possibilities with respect to the manner
in which replacement cards 20 are selected from the group
corresponding to the second group of five balls. In one embodiment,
the machine randomly selects the replacement cards 20 from the
second group. In another embodiment, replacement cards 20 are
selected from the second group of five balls according to the order
in which these balls were called--so that the sixth ball called
will be the first replacement, and so on. In yet another
embodiment, as depicted for example in FIG. 2, the replacement
cards 20 selected will be those corresponding in order to the first
five balls selected--so that, for example, the first ball selected
will be represented by the first card 20 on the far left side,
while the sixth ball selected will be represented by the card back
22 positioned behind the first card 20 on the far left side, and so
on.
[0036] In still another embodiment, as depicted for example in FIG.
3, the player can select which replacement cards 20 will be
revealed from a row of card backs 22 shown on the display screen.
Selection may be accomplished, if touch screen technology is
employed, by the player touching the desired card backs 22.
Alternatively, the player may depress the daub button 24 associated
with the desired card back 22--which, in the configuration shown in
FIG. 3, would be the daub button 24 positioned directly below the
desired card back 22--revealing each replacement card 20.
[0037] When the final hand is displayed, the machine determines
whether the hand is in the payoff schedule. For each player hand
falling within the payoff schedule, payment is made. Another
feature of the preferred embodiment of the bingo game and method of
this invention addresses the common bingo requirement that there be
at least one winner in every bingo game played. This can be
accommodated in one of several ways. Preferably, if there are no
"winners" in a particular game--i.e., no final hands within the
payoff schedule--the hands of all players will be compared the
player or players having the lowest value hand--calculated
according to the game rules for the particular poker or other game
played--will receive a payout. Similarly, the player with the
highest value non-paying hand could be rewarded (example, four
cards to a Royal Flush losing hand.). (This latter approach rewards
a near-miss, sometimes referred to as a "near-miss" or "case"
bingo.) It would also be possible, instead of rewarding the lowest
or highest hand, to provide a mystery payout to one randomly
selected player in each game. As used herein, the terms "near-miss"
or "case" bingo--are meant to refer to any hand outside the pay
table that entitles the player to an award. It should be noted
further that a near-miss or case bingo hand can be rewarded even
when another player achieves a hand within the pay table--or only
when no player achieves a hand within the pay table.
[0038] To increase player excitement, it is possible to provide a
progressive jackpot for the player(s) achieving a case bingo. For
example, a portion of the pool from each game can be placed in a
separate pool to reward a case bingo hand, regardless of the
criteria by which the case bingo hand is selected. If a significant
number of games is played without a case bingo hand receiving an
award, the pool can grow significantly, increasing player
excitement and perhaps leading some players to purposefully try for
a case bingo hand because of the size of the progressive jackpot.
It would also be possible to require players to make a separate
wager to be able to qualify for the progressive jackpot.
[0039] It should be noted that the Bingo Poker game and method of
the present invention may be adapted to play poker or other card
games according to the rules for the particular game. For example,
in one variation, only five balls would be drawn, and there would
be no replacement balls. Based on the hand produced by the five
called balls, the player receives any payout to which he or she is
entitled. (Such a game might have the appearance of that shown in
FIG. 1.) This variation is similar to 5card stud poker, in which a
player is paid according to a pay table without any replacement
cards being available.
[0040] In another variation, seven balls are called and, again,
there are no replacement balls. Based on the best hand produced by
any five of the seven called balls, the player receives any payout
to which he or she is entitled. This variation is similar to 7card
stud poker.
[0041] Examples of other poker games that could be played using
this method would include triple play.RTM., bonus poker, Caribbean
stud poker.RTM., holdem poker, and double down stud.RTM.. The
present invention could also be utilized to play card games other
than poker.
[0042] Still other variations are possible to the basic components
of the bingo game as discussed above. For example, it would be
possible to add a 53rd ball as well as a corresponding 53rd square
on the flashboard 10, with the 53rd square representing a wild card
or joker. If called, the wild card could be used by the player to
represent any suit/value indicia combination that increases the
payout to the player.
[0043] It would also be possible to provide fewer squares 12 than
balls, with an individual square 12 having more than one set of
value and suit indicia. If, for example, a particular square 12 had
two sets of value and suit indicia, the calling of the ball
corresponding to that square 12 would result in an extra card being
dealt to the player. The player could either be permitted to keep
the extra card or the option of selecting between the two cards
corresponding to the square 12, increasing the player's winning
prospects. Other variations are also possible.
[0044] Another embodiment of the present invention addresses the
problem presented by a single ball draw. In this embodiment,
overlapping ball draws--possibly though not necessarily from
multiple locations--are provided, allowing the playing of
overlapping games. For example, if a game takes two minutes to
play, a new draw could commence every thirty seconds. Fast player
one and slower player two each begin the same game at 1:00 p.m.,
which game is started by ball draw one. Fast player one, upon
finishing the game at 1:00:45 p.m., can participate in a second
game, started by a ball draw commencing at 1:01:00 p.m.--even
before the first game has closed at 1:02 p.m. Meanwhile, player two
can finish his game using all of the allotted time until 1:02 p.m.,
and participate in a new game commencing at 1:02:00 p.m. or 1:02:30
p.m., etc. Of course, the actual frequency and method of
overlapping ball draws can be varied as desired.
[0045] One advantage of the multiple ball draw is that the duration
of each bingo game can be increased over prior art games, since
there is no need to maximize the amount of games that one single
ball drawing source can generate. Thus, it can be seen that with
multiple ball draws, the needs of slow and fast players can be
accommodated. Slow players can play games with longer closing
times, so that they can complete their play. On the other hand,
fast players can follow one game immediately with another. It
should be noted that the multiple ball draw disclosed herein could
be incorporated into any bingo-style electronic game--including
prior art games currently practiced using a single ball draw--and
not only with bingo-style games otherwise described herein.
[0046] Bingo rules often require the disclosure to all players at
the end of each game how many players were winners in each game and
how much they won. This information can be provided in a small
square preferably at the bottom of the screen. In one embodiment,
the five previous game winners will be disclosed at the bottom of
the screen--although more or less than this could be shown. This
allows the slower player to take his or her time and to have his or
her potential winnings posted before the game is closed.
[0047] In another embodiment of the present invention, the rules of
bingo can be adopted to provide an electronic game having the look
and feel of a video slot machine, and includes on the display a
plurality of reels. This game is referred to herein as "Bingo
Slots." As with Bingo Poker, in Bingo Slots, each player is
provided with at least one flashboard, which flashboard may or may
not be displayed on the player's display screen. The flashboard
should comprise individual squares having therein at least one
indicia--including for example cherries, plums, bells, bars, blanks
and other indicia of the type often seen on slot
machines--corresponding to the number of bingo balls to be drawn.
For example, if there are 90 balls (numbered 1-90), the flashboard
should have 90 "squares," numbered 1-90, having indicia therein.
(As discussed above, it would be possible to provide a
noncorresponding number of flashboard squares and balls.)
[0048] Preferably, three balls will be called in a game (i.e., one
ball for each reel)--although games with less or more balls may
also be played. When the balls are called, the values are
communicated to each player machine and the corresponding values on
each player flashboard are displayed in any desired format--such as
squares or rectangles having images of the indicia therein or
thereon. Preferably, the display will have the look and feel of
prior art slot machine reels.
[0049] Although each player has the same indicia values on his or
her flashboard (e.g., 20 cherries, 20 bars, 10 blanks, 10 plums, 30
bells)--each player should have these indicia arranged on the
flashboard in a unique or nearly unique manner, so that outcomes
among players will be unique or nearly unique. For example, squares
15, 25, and 35 on player one's flashboard might all be cherries,
while these squares on player two's flashboard are a cherry, plum,
and bar, respectively. There can of course be instances wherein a
single machine has multiple type slot games to choose from and
individual games can have varying degrees of difficulty. An example
of these slot games are "Double Diamond.RTM.',' "Red, White &
Blue.RTM.", "Triple Diamond.RTM..", "Wheel of Fortune.RTM.",
"Elvis.RTM.", "Betty Boop.RTM." "Slotto.RTM.','"Pink Panther.RTM.",
"Reel 'Em In.RTM.", "Monopoly.RTM.", "Jackpot Party.RTM..", "Addams
Family.RTM.", 'I Dream of Jeannie.RTM." and "Battleship.RTM.," The
payout will be a function of the difficult of achieving a desired
combination, based on the frequency with which a particular value
appears on the flashboard.
[0050] While it would be possible to provide a single flashboard
from which three indicia will be selected as described herein, it
would be preferred to provide multiple flashboards per player
machine, and preferably one flashboard for each reel in a Bingo
Slot game. Thus, if there are three reels, three flashboards are
preferably provided. In this manner, the odds of achieving a
particular winning combination can be increased exponentially,
creating the possibility of relatively large payouts and thus
increasing player excitement. Similarly, the number of
balls/flashboard squares can be varied as desired to achieve
desired game probabilities.
[0051] As shown in the following table, the use of multiple
flashboards and the variation in the number of balls can
substantially alter slot odds:
1 Slot Odds - One bar Number of Reels Number of Balls per reel 1 75
75 to one 1 90 90 to one 1 105 105 to one 2 75 5,625 to one 2 90
8,100 to one 2 105 11,025 to one 3 75 421,875 to one 3 90 729,000
to one 3 105 1,157,625 to one 4 75 31,640,625 to one 4 90
65,610,000 to one 4 105 121,550,625 to one
[0052] Of course, the numbers 75, 90 and 105 are meant to be
exemplary only, and the actual number of balls used could be varied
as desired.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplar of a video terminal 30
embodying the Bingo Slots variant of the present invention is
shown. The video terminal 30 includes a display screen 32, on which
is displayed the indicia 34 from the flashboard squares
corresponding to the called balls. To use the video terminal 30, a
player will place his or her bet using one of the betting keys 36.
The player then commences play and accesses the results of the ball
draw by pulling the handle 38. The results of the ball draw are
then displayed on the display screen 32. To complete play, and
consistent with the rules of bingo, the player daubs the indicia 34
appearing on the display screen 32 by depressing the daub keys
40--or by daubing in some other designated manner.
[0054] Of course, the features of the video terminal 30 may be
altered in any desired fashion. For example, the handle 38 may be
replaced with a button, touch screen icon, or other means for
commencing play. One daub key 40 could be used in place of
individual daub keys 40 for each indicia 34 displayed. It would
also be possible to display more than one row of indicia 34 for
double, triple, nine-line, etc. play. Still further, it would be
possible to substitute a machine having mechanical reels for the
video terminal 30 and still be within the scope of the present
invention.
[0055] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and
other changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *